Join the more than 25,000 Oregonians already making their own solar power. You can reduce your home’s impact on the environment and take control of your energy costs with clean, renewable energy from the sun.
For even greater control and peace of mind, consider solar + storage (you can also add storage to existing solar systems). Battery storage makes your home energy resilient by providing emergency backup power. Stored solar power can keep lighting, refrigeration, medical equipment, well pumps or other essentials operating during an outage.
Energy Trust incentives and federal tax credits can reduce solar or solar + storage costs by about one-third. We also offer increased incentives for income-qualified homes. We can connect you with a qualified solar trade ally contractor to get your project started.
Community Solar Option
If you rent or if solar isn’t in your budget right now, you can subscribe to a community solar project and get credits on your electric bill. Income-qualified customers get discounted rates and guaranteed bill savings. Oregon Community Solar—no sunny roof required! Learn more.
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Establish your eligibility.
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Get proposals from Energy Trust solar trade ally contractors.
Systems must be installed by an approved Energy Trust solar trade ally contractor. Compare two or more bids to make the best choice for your home.
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Select your contractor.
See our FAQ on choosing a solar trade ally and comparing bids. Your trade ally contractor will handle all the paperwork for your system, prior to installation. Your Energy Trust cash incentive will be paid directly to your contractor, who will deduct the incentive amount from your invoice, reducing the upfront cost of your solar installation. Your trade ally can also help you apply for any other incentives you may be eligible for.
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Allow the professionals to install and verify your system.
Energy Trust helps protect your investment by reviewing the plans for your system before construction. Once it’s complete, we also verify that it meets our rigorous technical standards. In many cases, we will stop by in person to verify your system was installed properly.
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Claim your tax credits when you file your taxes.
Learn about federal residential energy credits.
Energy Trust incentives
Your Energy Trust cash incentive amount depends on your household income and your electric utility. Incentive offers are subject to funding availability and may change at any time. Check with your contractor.
| Utility | Solar Incentive | Battery Storage Incentive |
|---|---|---|
| Portland General Electric | $1,000 per home | $500/kWh, $6,000 maximum per home |
| Pacific Power | $1,200 per home | $500/kWh, $6,000 maximum per home |
Your solar electric system produces Renewable Energy Certificates as well as clean electricity. Learn more about Renewable Energy Certificates.
Note: Energy Trust provides technical assistance and financial incentives but does not develop, sell or install energy systems or equipment. This work is done by independent businesses that are solely responsible for the quality and performance of their installations.
Additional solar options
- Solar Within Reach offers increased incentives for income-qualified households.
- The Oregon Community Solar Program offers subscription options if you rent, live in a condo or if your roof doesn’t have enough sun exposure.
- Considering building a new home with solar? Learn about EPS homes.
- Get tips on choosing a solar trade ally contractor and comparing bids.
- Attend a free educational workshop to learn more about solar.
- Use our solar calculator to estimate the benefits of solar.
- Learn how your electric bill is calculated with net metering.
- Learn about Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).
Federal solar tax credits
The federal residential solar tax credit covers 30% of the out-of-pocket cost of a solar or solar + storage system installed by Dec. 31, 2032. It is a dollar-for-dollar reduction of the income tax you owe. You must pay taxes to claim the credit. Learn more about federal solar tax credits.
Consult your tax professional to learn how tax credits and rules may apply to you. This information does not constitute tax advice and cannot be used to avoid tax penalties.
Home solar financing: weighing your solar financing options
There are several financing options available to help make installing solar electric systems more affordable.
Cash and loans
If you have the savings available, paying for your solar installation with cash will typically provide the highest return on investment and the quickest payback. A solar contractor can provide you with a proposal with specific figures.
Many homeowners use a loan to pay for some or all of their solar project. The loan could come from your existing bank, a financial institution that offers solar-specific loans, your solar contractor or even from the equipment manufacturer. Some lenders will allow you to pay down your loan principal when you receive your tax credit. With a loan, you benefit from significantly reduced utility costs and own the system outright at the end of the loan term.
We recommend exploring multiple financing options to find the solution that best fits your needs and budget.
Leases and Power Purchase Agreements
With a lease or power purchase agreement (PPA), you pay little or nothing upfront and the system is installed, owned and maintained by a solar service provider. You make lease payments or purchase the electricity produced by the system on a monthly basis.
The rate you pay for the solar electricity may or may not be less than your current electricity rate. When your agreement ends, usually after 20 years, you have the option to remove the system, renew the agreement or purchase the system. If you move, there are usually options for buying out the system or transferring the agreement to the new homebuyer.
If you choose a lease or PPA, Energy Trust will pay the incentive to your solar service provider, and you’ll receive a more affordable lease or power purchase price.
The solar service provider owns the Renewable Energy Certificates produced by your solar electric system. Learn more about Renewable Energy Certificates.
Read this guide to solar leases and loans for more information about your financing options.
Need Help? Contact Us.
We’re here to explain the process and benefits. Call us at 1.877.777.4018 or send us an email at solar@energytrust.org.
